A great deal of evidence points to the benefits of music education.  Importance of Music Education, The Effects of Music on the Brain, and Early Music Lessons Have Longtime Benefits are but a few items that the curious can point their browser to.  And studies by university professors at Kent State University & the University of Arizona for the Future of Music Project (1995) demonstrate the extra-musical advantages of music education such as improved reading, language, foreign language, math skills, perceptual motor skills, psychomotor development, creativity, self-esteem, social skills, & overall academic achievement.

My own 30 years of experience with students of all ages and my experience as a parent also point to benefits.  The student who has trouble concentrating is difficult to train in the classroom but often finds breakthroughs in private lessons.  And the student who carries so much tension that breath control is a challenge will improve his or her mind-body connection.

That said, studying an instrument has it’s own intrinsic value outside of theraputic reasons.  Imagine trying to improve your mind and body to control an instrument, to make it sound better through microscopic adjustments based on that sound in real time.  Plus you must study those who came before you, both on your instrument and others.  Music is a deep part of our history, culture, and humanity.  It is intertwined with every historical period of art and architecture.

When considering all of this, the study of music has the potential to make one a better person; humble, with perspective of our humanness, history, and limitless chance for improvement and experimentation.  It promotes lifelong learning.  Every day that I attend a rehearsal or performance I hear seasoned players improving their fundamental skills before we begin.  When you study music, particularly through one-on-one lessons, you learn how to learn, and you can take that skill to any area of life.